SFI: the system, the tests, what comes after
How to talk about SFI as a system — study paths, course codes, the national test, the SFI bonus that no longer exists, and the road through Komvux to 'Svenska som andraspråk'.
- 1
rätten till sfi från 16 års ålder
the right to SFI from age 16
Tip: If you lack basic Swedish and are registered in a municipality.
- 2
att få börja inom tre månader från anmälan
to start within three months of applying
Tip: The municipality's legal obligation.
- 3
studieväg 1 — för den med kort eller ingen skolbakgrund
study path 1 — for those with little or no schooling
Tip: 'skolbakgrund' = educational background.
- 4
studieväg 3 — för den med akademisk bakgrund
study path 3 — for the academically trained
Tip: Fastest pace; C and D only.
- 5
en kartläggning
a placement interview
Tip: lit. 'a mapping' — the intake assessment.
- 6
att bli placerad på fel nivå
to be placed on the wrong level
Tip: Ask to be moved — 'byta grupp' — early.
- 7
att hoppa över en kurs
to skip a course
Tip: Possible with a strong start test.
- 8
att klara nationella provet
to pass the national test
Tip: 'klara' = pass/manage; ends courses B, C and D.
- 9
de fyra delarna: läsa, lyssna, skriva, tala
the four parts: reading, listening, writing, speaking
Tip: Speaking is done in pairs.
- 10
att få godkänt
to get a pass grade
Tip: 'godkänt' = E or above.
- 11
att bli underkänd
to fail the course
Tip: 'underkänd' = failed; you can redo it.
- 12
att ha en individuell studieplan
to have a study plan
Tip: Every SFI student has one on paper; ask to see yours.
- 13
att kombinera sfi med praktik
to combine SFI with work practice
Tip: Common on the establishment programme.
- 14
yrkessvenska
Swedish for professionals
Tip: Sector-specific SFI: healthcare, trucks, cleaning.
- 15
sfi med yrkesinriktning
SFI with a professional focus
Tip: Municipal variant of yrkessvenska.
- 16
distansundervisning
distance learning
Tip: Offered by many municipalities since 2020.
- 17
närvarokravet
the attendance requirement
Tip: Too much absence and you're deregistered.
- 18
att bli utskriven från kursen
to be deregistered from the course
Tip: Same verb as at Arbetsförmedlingen.
- 19
sfi-bonusen (avskaffad)
the SFI bonus (abolished)
Tip: A cash reward for finishing fast, 2010–2014; people still ask.
- 20
att gå vidare till svenska som andraspråk
to move on to Swedish as a second language
Tip: 'SVA' at Komvux — the step after SFI D.
- 21
sva grund / sva gymnasienivå
SVA basic / SVA upper secondary
Tip: Grund after SFI D; then SVA 1–3 for university eligibility.
- 22
att bli behörig till högskolan
to become eligible for university
Tip: 'behörig' = eligible; SVA 3 or Svenska 3 is the key.
- 23
Tisus-provet
the Swedish test for university (TISUS)
Tip: The other route to eligibility, for people with foreign degrees.
- 24
att få studiestöd under sfi
to get study support while at SFI
Tip: Normally not from CSN — but establishment support or a-kassa may apply.
- 25
studiestartsstödet
the study start-up grant
Tip: CSN money for people with short schooling starting Komvux.
- 26
min svenska har stannat av
my Swedish plateaued
Tip: 'stanna av' = stall; said around course C.
- 27
att klara sig på svenska
to get by in Swedish
Tip: 'klara sig' = manage/get by.
- 28
alla går över till engelska med mig
everyone switches to English on me
Tip: 'gå över till' = switch to; the universal complaint.
- 29
att hålla fast vid svenskan
to insist on Swedish
Tip: 'hålla fast vid' = stick to.
- 30
inlärningskurvan är brant i början
the learning curve is steep at first
Tip: 'brant' = steep.